LOCATION
Harmel’s Taylor River Resort is located seven miles from Almont, Colorado in the highly coveted Taylor River Valley at the confluence of Spring Creek and the Taylor River. From the resort, Gunnison is located 16-miles south and the ever-popular ski resort town of Crested Butte is about 16-miles to the north (via Jack’s Cabin Cutoff and State Highway 135). From the Front Range population centers of metro-Denver and Colorado Springs, the resort is within an approximate 3.0-hour drive. Harmel’s is located within the heart of the 1.7 million-acre Gunnison National Forest, which directly borders the resort on the east. The surrounding area contains some of the most spectacular scenery and recreational amenities Colorado has to offer with the popularity of the Taylor River Valley continuing to grow given the seemingly endless recreational opportunities.
THE RESORT
The footprint of th...
The footprint of the resort portion of the larger property totals for approximately 43-acres (+/-). Harmel’s has been operated by the same family since 1958 and maintains a generational following of repeat guests. The resort consists of 37 rustic, fully furnished rental cabins/units that have been placed either on, or within, walking distance of the Taylor River. The cabins have historically accommodated combined occupancy of 150 guests. In addition, employee housing is fully contained on-site. The guest recreation room is located between the restaurant and reservation counter and provides wi-fi accessibility, billiards, games, business center and TV gathering area. Harmel’s Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (menu or buffet) with an adjoining full-service saloon. Restaurant demand is serviced by a fully appointed commercial kitchen that includes walk-in freezer/coolers. An expansive deck with large stone fireplace extending just above the Taylor River at the rear of the restaurant provides the ideal outdoor dining and gathering experience. The general store and fly shop supply anglers with tackle, basic food and drink provisions and provides daily updates on fishing conditions. The resort accommodates weddings, family reunions and other group-style gatherings. From the resort, there is nearby access to motorcycle, ATV, mountain biking/hiking trails, river rafting and rock-climbing excursions. For big game hunters, Colorado GMU 55 is also known for its Mule Deer, Elk and Moose hunting.
TAYLOR RIVER
The Taylor River originates high-up in the Elk Mountains just outside of the Maroon Bells Wilderness and flows along the west side of the Collegiate Peaks before entering Taylor Park Reservoir. Taylor Park Dam, located at the south end of the reservoir, serves as the start of the tailwaters. The stretch extending below the dam and continuing all the way to the confluence with the Gunnison River provides anglers some of the best trout waters available. According to the owner, the approximate 1.5-mile stretch (both banks) of the Taylor flowing through the resort had previously received a 16x Gold Medal rating. The “Harmel’s Fishery” is also fed by Spring Creek, which flows down from the mountains to the north of the resort.
Whitewater rafting and kayaking are also popular activities on the Taylor River. The 2,040-acre Taylor Park Reservoir just to the north offers the lake angler the chance of catching big Lake/Mackinaw, Brown, Rainbow and Cutbow Trout along with Kokanee Salmon and Northern Pike. Boat access is available at the Taylor Park marina.
ADDITIONAL ACREAGE
There are (2) additional parcels available for purchase (in addition to the estimated acreage of the resort):
North Pasture Parcel: Historically utilized as horse pasture for the horseback riding operation of the resort, this parcel contains (2) trout stocked ponds and live water creeks/irrigation ditches flowing through its boundaries. This approximate 48-acre tract (subject to survey) offers a multitude of building possibilities ranging from an estate home site to higher density residential housing, possible RV Park, etc. The North Pasture Parcel is separately priced from the resort and offered at $3,000,000.
Beaver Creek Parcel: The Beaver Creek parcel consists of approximately 52-acres (subject to survey) and directly abuts Gunnison National Forest. This parcel provides direct access to Gunnison National Forest lands via special use permit held by the ownership (transferrable). Beaver Creek is an alpine stream that flows down from the Fossil Ridge Wilderness area to the Taylor River, just below the deeded area of the resort. Deeded roadway access is provided through the designated resort parcel. This tract offers potential residential building sites and would provide prominent views to the Taylor Park Valley spanning to the west. Offered at $1,000,000.
SUMMARY
The recent completion of paving to Cottonwood Pass has significantly improved accessibility to the Taylor Park area as it serves as the most direct access route from the Colorado Front Range population centers. The historic operating season of the resort has generally spanned from May 15 thru September 30. Winterization of the cabins and infrastructure would further allow a new owner the ability to operate on an annual basis in capitalizing on winter recreation and over-flow skier demand from Crested Butte. The existing footprint of the resort designated area (subject to survey) may also be conducive to the addition of more cabins and/or conversion to longer term, VRBO oriented stays. All owned water and mineral rights will convey, and the property is not encumbered by conservation easement. All merchandise/business inventories and furniture, fixtures and equipment are included. Financial documentation of the resort operation can be provided upon the signing of a non-disclosure agreement.
Please contact Brent Hedrick for additional information or to arrange for a qualified, private showing.